Skip to main content
The King of Wuxia film image, director Lin Jing-jie

The King of Wuxia

Da Xia Hu Jin Quan / 大俠胡金銓

This event has passed

International Premiere

Lin Jing-Jie’s doc is a detailed, deeply poignant tribute to one of history’s great filmmakers. King Hu (1932-1997) was a consummate film artist—a sure hand not only at directing, but also drawing, calligraphy, acting, and other arts. Lin assembles actors, choreographers, critics, scholars, producers, fellow directors, and others who knew and loved Hu; their tributes and analyses form a mosaic-like depiction.

Part I is centred on Hu as an artist, with wide-ranging discussion of masterpieces like Dragon Inn (1967) and A Touch of Zen (1971). Cast and crew members reveal the master’s grasp of film production in its many facets, while directors such as John Woo, Tsui Hark, and Ann Hui discuss the fully realized films. Part II is more biographical, taking us through a life which took Hu from China to Hong Kong, and Taiwan to California, where his unrealized final film was to be set. Lin’s film is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man, and a must-see for lovers of East Asian cinema.

 

Presented by

 

Media Partner

Stir Logo CHMB AM1320 logo

Community Partner

Director
Credits
Country of Origin

Taiwan

Year

2022

Language

Mandarin

Film Contact
Links
18+
220 min
Documentary

Book Tickets

This event has passed.

Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre

On the Waterfront

Dir. Elia Kazan
108 min

Marlon Brando's definitive performance as Terry Malloy, a New York dockworker (and once a promising boxer) who loses faith in his union and his smarter but corrupt older brother Charlie (Rod Steiger) after a whistleblower is murdered.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Walking with Shadows

Dir. Aoife O'Kelly
90 min

In Lagos, Nigeria, Ebele Njoko has been running all his life. A search for acceptance and love from his family, has led him to recreate himself as Adrian Njoko, respected father, husband and brother. Suddenly, Adrian's past and secrets catch up with him.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Angela's Shadow

Dir. Jules Arita Koostachin
93 min

When a socialite visits her nanny’s remote reserve, she discovers her Cree ancestry and delves into her new-found spiritual traditions to save herself and her newborn baby from her husband’s psychotic, and purity-obsessed racism.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Dir. James Griffiths
99 min

An odd couple comedy laced with lovely songs this is one of those little gems that don't come around very often. Charles wants to reunite his favourite band, and after winning the lottery he has the means to do it, whether they're ready or not.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Familiar Touch

Dir. Sarah Friedland
90 min

A loving portrait of an octogenarian transitioning into an assisted living facility, this award-winning first feature by choreographer Sarah Friedland has a simplicity and warmth that's exceptionally poignant.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Fairy Creek

Dir. Jen Muranetz
86 min

Considered the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history, the Fairy Creek blockade led to more than 1200 arrests. What Jen Muranetz's film gives us is the story from the front line from the activists' point of view (often, from the treetops).

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Credits

Producer

Hsu Hui-lin, Steven Tu

Cinematography

Tan Heong-song

Editor

Lin Jing-jie, Shih Chien-yu

Original Music

Sky Lee, Weng La-fa

Director

Lin Jing-jie headshot, The King of Wuxia director

Lin Jing-jie

Lin Jing-jie’s work has been honoured at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and the Golden Horse Awards. He received the International Critics’ Week Award at the Venice Film Festival with his 2007 film The Most Distant Course.

Filmography: The Most Distant Course (2007); The Man Behind the Book (2011); Dear Mother Earth (2011); Elena (2014)